My Favorite Stress Reliever at Fordham

Okay, so I've had the absolute BEST time at Fordham these past two and a half years. I've made amazing friends that I know I'll have for the rest of my life and memories that I know I'll never forget. From city trips, to birthdays, to just hanging out with friends in the caf for hours, there's never a dull moment.

This isn't to say it's all fun and no work, though! Fordham is great, but like at any challenging university, you're going to be stressed from time to time. You'll have exams, papers, midterms (all three at once sometimes??), and it can get a bit hectic. But don't worry! It's totally doable and you'll get through it like all of us do.

Everyone has a stress reliever, especially in college. Whether it's meditation, yoga, reading, drawing, etc. I picked up my stress reliever my freshman year at Fordham, and it's running in the New York Botanical Gardens! It's so very conveniently located across the street from campus.

One of the trails! I can't wait for spring!!

The Botanical Gardens are BEAUTIFUL, and with spring coming up I can't stop thinking about it. After class or on a Saturday morning it's a great feeling to put your sneakers on and go for a nice run in one of the most stunning places I've ever been. Not a runner? The "botans" is still awesome even just for a casual stroll!

Nothing like a nice run with some friends!

When you come here in the fall, make SURE to check this place out; it's a Fordham staple. And an extra bonus, Fordham students get in for free!

Back With a Bang: How Fordham Starts Off the New Semester Right

The first week of Spring Semester classes is officially over here at Fordham, and I’m so glad to be back in New York City with my friends and classmates. Beginning a new semester can be stressful at times, and at first I felt nervous about taking my Spring Semester courses at the Gabelli School of Business. However, as soon as I got to campus, I felt a lot better about beginning my new classes because of all of the fun, stress relieving activities that Fordham offered this past week.

Just as students jump back into their classes at the start of a new semester, they also have the opportunity to jump back into fun activities going on at the university. Starting during the very first week of this semester, students had the opportunity to attend promo dinners for fundraisers, club fairs, and Bingo! My personal favorite activity this week was the O’Hare Residence Hall Winter Carnival. Resident Assistants and Directors in O’Hare Hall organized a fun night of winter festivities, complete with hot chocolate, cookies, and even an ice skating rink! My friends and I had a great time at this event, and it was a fantastic way to welcome everyone back to Fordham.

The ice skating rink was right on the Rose Hill Campus for O'Hare's Winter Carnival! 

Here at Fordham, there is always something interesting going on. Even at the start of the new semester, Fordham Rams know how to hit the ground running and come back with a bang! Coming back to campus to start a new semester really feels like coming home for me. Every semester, I realize more and more that there truly is no place like Fordham. I am so happy to be back on campus again, and I am really looking forward to Spring Semester’s future Fordham activities!

My roommate and I strapped on some skates and hit the ice after we went to the gym! 

Running Off Stress

With midterms finally over, there is a definite need among the student body to unwind and give their minds a break. Being on the track team here, it is nice to have an outlet for stress and a get away from the bustle of studying and busy life on campus. On Saturdays for practice we get the chance to go to Van Cortlandt Park, which is only about 2 miles from campus. Van Cortlandt is a great open space in the middle of the Bronx with different trails and a wooded area. The hilly trails provide a perfect practice space for the team, and it’s nice to be able to run in such a scenic park that is so close to campus. 

Practice at Van Cortland after a busy week!

My roommate, Shanna, is also on the team. This week, she started an internship at Jozii doing marketing and working on their social media to expand their brand. So, she was especially in need of unwinding at Van Cortlandt! We are not in the same running group, but we met up after practice and walked around the park a little before taking the bus back. Waking up for 8 am practice on Saturdays is not always the easiest thing to do, but a morning run is a fun way to wrap up a busy week. After practice, some of my teammates and I went to Pete’s Café on Fordham Road. It’s always nice to get a meal off campus and change up the normal routine of eating in the cafeteria or our other dining options. Pete’s is great because there’s plenty of space to accommodate our big group! Enjoying the leaves changing and the scenery in the park along with a relaxing breakfast was the perfect way to start of a calm Saturday after a busy week!

Blog by: Claire McGonigle